verb

demean

dih-MEEN

verb

To lower someone's dignity or make them seem less worthy of respect.

"The insult was meant to demean her in front of colleagues."

"He refused to demean himself by begging."

How to Use Demean

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make someone (often yourself) look small, unworthy, or less respected.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with demeanor, which is about how someone behaves or carries themselves, not about lowering their dignity.

Easily confused with

demeanor →

Common pairings

demean yourself demeaning remark

demeaned past tense, demeaned past tense, demeaned past tense, demeans plural, demeans plural, demeans singular, demeans singular, demeans singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The insult was meant to _____ her in front of colleagues.

From de- plus an old sense of mean meaning "lowly, common", from Old English gemæne.

abase bring down to size cut down to size debase defame degrade demote depress discredit disgrace dishonour disparage

aggrandize glorify

rape increase mock blame aggravate shame slander mitigate

lean bean wean dean jean Sean mean Kean clean glean ocean Korean

abase bring down to size cut down to size debase defame degrade demote depress discredit disgrace dishonour disparage